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2010-06-15

Dock Diving Dogs Coming to Oconee County

Some of the top ranked dogs in the sport of dock diving will compete July 2-4 at The Great American Dawg Jump in Watkinsville, Georgia. Dixie Dock Dogs, a non-profit organization benefitting various canine charities, is producing this thrilling event which features dogs jumping great lengths to splash down into a pool of water. Covering the entire state of Georgia, Dixie Dock Dogs is affiliated with the national organization DockDogs. The competition will be held at Oconee Veterans Park on Hog Mountain Road.

Bill Akin of Watkinsville, and president of Dixie Dock Dogs, is very excited about the club hosting the upcoming competition. "This is our first dock diving event here in Oconee County, said Akin. "We're sure it will be a fun time for everyone, people and dogs alike…something for the entire family."

According to Akin, a regulation 40' dock and 40' x 12' pool of water will be brought onto the park property. Dogs from all over the country will come to compete in the three sporting disciplines of DockDogs: Big Air, which measures the length of their jump, Extreme Vertical, which measures the height, and Speed Retrieve, which measures how fast they run, jump and swim.

"It's an awesome sport," said Nancy Akin, also of Dixie Dock Dogs. "Our own team of Labrador Retrievers, known as Team 4 Dawg Flite, has been to DockDogs competitions from Florida to Missouri to Ohio to Maryland, and all stops in-between. We are so excited now to share this sport with the Oconee County community."

The Akins report they are expecting over 100 dogs to compete in the 3-day event. Dock diving is a sport for any breed or any size dog, and everyone in this area is encouraged to bring your dog out to give it a try. Dixie Dock Dogs will have Practice Coaches available to show interested attendees dock diving strategies and give tips for getting started in the sport. If you would like to have your dog participate, you can register online at DockDogs.com. If you just want to attend the festivities without having your dog participate, registration is not necessary.

For more information about The Great American Dawg Jump, please visit DixieDockDogs.com. You can also contact Nancy Akin at 706-540-9395.